You’ve found the right car, but it’s far away. In the past, paying for an out-of-state car was filled with risk, friction, and potential failure points, but not anymore. Don’t let distance derail your car purchase.
Sure, you could mail a check or have a courier deliver physical cash. But why overcomplicate payment when you can finish the deal over the phone? DealNow streamlines remote, long-distance car payments and provides you with the tools you need to buy a car quickly and securely, no matter where it’s at.
Before we show you how DealNow simplifies car payments, let’s look at why most payment methods fall short and the other problems that typically kill long-distance purchases.
Physical cash, cashier’s checks, and bank transfers are common payment methods for high-dollar items. While they all have drawbacks, they are relatively effective ways to pay when you’re buying a car locally. Once you throw distance into the equation, their downsides add significant delays and security risks to the transaction process.
For lower-priced motorcycles, cash is a fine way to pay. When purchasing an entry-level bike or a used motorcycle for a few thousand dollars, physical cash is simple and immediate. The transaction can be completed on the spot without relying on technology or financial institutions.
When it comes to more expensive motorcycles, paying with physical cash presents some challenges:
The safest way to pay for a motorcycle in cash is to meet the seller at your bank, withdraw the money on the spot, and have a bank teller count and verify the bills to speed things up.
People are innately comfortable with physical cash due to its long history. In an average car transaction, you’d withdraw the money, count it, let the seller count and verify it, and then finish the deal. For a long-distance transaction, you’re stuck traveling with a bunch of cash or paying a courier to ship it for you. Neither option is safe or convenient.
Cashier’s checks are a convenient alternative to physical cash; instead of a wad of bills, you carry a check. Sellers like cashier’s checks because the funds are backed by the bank so they can’t bounce. If you traveled to finish the deal, you’d still need to coordinate around banking hours so the seller could verify the check. If you want to pay remotely, you’d have to ship the check and wait for it to arrive to continue the transaction. A lost check, a holiday, or a weekend will add extra costs and unnecessary time to the transaction.
Wire transfers let you pay the seller without physically exchanging anything. You go to your bank, give them the seller’s account information, and the bank handles the rest. Wire transfers take about a day to process, but once the seller has received verification they can continue the sale knowing they’ll be paid.
Sellers might rightfully be uncomfortable providing their bank account information to a stranger from another state. Scammers who target car sellers use this information for identity theft. Besides sharing information, wire transfers are only available during business hours and are not as fast or user-friendly as modern digital payment apps. For long-distance purchases, you have to coordinate between time zones and gain the seller’s trust.
You have a few more payment options, but they’re pretty bad for high-dollar car purchases—even worse at a distance:
Payment is just one of many challenges buyers used to face during long-distance car purchases. Those who attempted the process needed to overcome these obstacles:
Each of these obstacles can kill a deal on its own. Combined, they’ve made long-distance car purchases nearly impossible—until now.
DealNow is the best way to pay for an out-of-state car because it’s so much more than a payment method. Enjoy a complete transactional workflow that takes the friction out of long-distance car transactions and lets you finish the deal from your mobile device.
Before DealNow, car purchases took hours or days. Remote deals took even longer. Now, with instant payments and a real-time self-serve dealflow, you can complete the buying process in minutes.
Because payment happens instantly, your on-site inspector can act as your proxy from pre-purchase inspection through transport. They inspect the vehicle and communicate with you by phone. If you’re satisfied with the vehicle, you can pay immediately, and they’ll handle the title transfer and shipping coordination.
You and the seller show proof of identity during account creation. You know from the start that you’re dealing with a seller acting under their legal name. Then, our in-app VIN check and vehicle history report confirm the car’s current owner, previous owners, service records, title status, and condition. This weeds out most scammers who target car buyers.
Book inspections and shop affordable vehicle transport options from your DealNow dashboard. Your inspector can coordinate directly with the car transport company, and you can follow everything in real-time. Once the deal is done, your inspector can hand the vehicle to the shipping company or coordinate pickup.
Both parties sign a legally binding bill of sale in the DealNow app. The seller knows they’ll get paid for the car; you know you’ll get the car. No more catch-22. You’ll receive a notification when the seller has signed so you can pay for the car with confidence.
Long-distance car purchases used to be so complex, that people turned to expensive escrow services to help with the process. You don’t need an escrow to buy a car anymore. Each part of the DealNow platform coordinates to make long-distance deals happen.
Here’s what DealNow looks like in action: A buyer in Florida purchased a $80,000 Porsche in New York—sight unseen. The buyer handled the entire transaction after breakfast on a Saturday. The inspector verified everything, the payment was transferred instantly, and the inspector coordinated with the shipping company to get the car on the road. The whole deal wrapped up in about an hour.
DealNow turns what used to be a frustratingly complex process into something you can do from your phone, anytime, anywhere.
Let’s walk through exactly how DealNow works for remote, out-of-state car transactions.
What used to take days or weeks now happens in minutes. You’re not just using a payment app or a car listing site—you’re choosing a complete transaction platform that makes the long-distance purchase process quick and safe.
Several compelling reasons make crossing state lines worthwhile:
With DealNow’s platform, the logistics of out-of-state purchases are simpler than ever. Find your dream car anywhere, and finish with DealNow.
Contact your insurance agent before buying. Most states require proof of auto insurance before you can register the vehicle. Your agent can help you understand insurance requirements and set up coverage that starts the moment you take ownership. They can also explain if you need additional insurance for transport.
If you’re interested in a new insurance company, you can shop our third-party partners directly from the DealNow app.
After purchasing an out-of-state car, you will pay the same fees you would if you purchased a car in your home state, but depending on where you live, you might have a few more expenses. Expect to pay:
Many states have strict emissions testing standards. California, for example, has rigorous requirements. Check your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website for specific emissions testing requirements before purchasing. Some states won’t allow registration of vehicles that don’t meet their standards, even if the car is legal in other states.
If you purchase an out-of-state car and plan to drive it home, you’ll need a temporary registration. Visit your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website to apply for temporary registration. You’ll need:
The safest payment option is DealNow’s secure payment platform. DealNow provides instant, verified transfers with no limits, unlike wire transfers or checks. The buyer’s funds are securely held in FDIC-insured accounts and instantly released upon completion of the sale, protecting buyers and sellers throughout the transaction.
Most states require you to pay sales tax on motor vehicle purchases. Besides sales tax, there aren’t any other tax implications when buying a car.
Here’s what you need to know about tax implications for vehicle purchases in a general sense.
Buying private-party cars for sale isn’t just faster than buying from an auto dealer—it’s also cheaper. Here’s why:
Bottom line? Private sales let you stretch your car-buying dollar further.
A mismatch between the VIN on the car and the vehicle title requires immediate attention. It could be a simple error or indicate potential fraud or criminal activity.
Start with Kelley Blue Book to understand fair market value. Check online marketplaces to compare similar cars in your area, and factor in the car’s condition and any modifications to determine what you’re willing to pay.
Professional vehicle inspections are necessary. Have a certified mechanic check the engine, transmission, frame, and electrical systems. They can spot hidden problems that could save you thousands in future repairs.
A vehicle history report shows ownership changes, service records, and accidents. Be wary of shady sellers who won’t share this information or if the number of previous owners seems inconsistent with the car’s age.
If you can’t view the vehicle in person immediately, don’t just rely on photos. Have a professional inspector act as your eyes on the ground. DealNow can arrange local inspections and even coordinate test drives with verified inspectors. Plus, we handle secure payment and bills of sale once you’re ready to buy.
Never share your social security number or other sensitive details with private sellers. Professional scammers might charm you into a false sense of security that leads to careless information sharing. Use DealNow’s secure platform to protect your private data while verifying both parties’ identities.
Financial institutions rarely refund money lost to scams. Unlike fraud, where someone uses your account without permission, scams involve you authorizing the transaction. Always use secure payment methods such as DealNow to protect yourself when buying a car.
DealNow is the easiest way to close your own vehicle deal, anytime. It’s the safe and simple way to avoid fraud, sign documents, and instantly transact, all in one app.
